The year 2023 in the boxing world was marked by an intense and memorable struggle for the top spot in the pound-for-pound rankings, mirroring the heated competition for the title of Best Boxer of the Year. The remarkable performances from a range of boxers, including Terence Crawford, Naoya Inoue, David Benavidez, and Devin Haney, made the choice for the top position incredibly challenging. The race ultimately centered around Inoue and Crawford, with each athlete showcasing exceptional skill and dominance in their respective categories.
CBS’s ranking for 2023 brings to the forefront the best in the boxing world. Here’s a breakdown of the top 10 boxers in the pound-for-pound category:
Rank
Boxer
Weight Class
Record
1
Naoya Inoue
Junior Featherweight
23-0, 21 KOs
2
Terence Crawford
Welterweight
39-0, 29 KOs
3
Canelo Alvarez
Super Middleweight
60-2-2, 38 KOs
4
Oleksandr Usyk
Heavyweight
19-0, 13 KOs
5
Devin Haney
Junior Welterweight
31-0, 15 KOs
6
Dmitry Bivol
Light Heavyweight
21-0, 11 KOs
7
Tyson Fury
Heavyweight
34-0-1, 25 KOs
8
Errol Spence Jr.
Welterweight
28-1, 22 KOs
9
Gervonta Davis
Lightweight
29-0, 27 KOs
10
Shakur Stevenson
Lightweight
21-0, 10 KOs
Future Prospects and Anticipations
This Top 10 Pound-for-Pound list by CBS not only honors the current achievements of these boxing luminaries but also sets the stage for upcoming confrontations and potential shifts in the rankings. As a barometer of boxing excellence, the list reflects the dynamic and evolving nature of the sport, where both emerging talents and established champions are in a constant state of competition.
